In a move similar to the ongoing investigation of a "missing" iPhone 4 unit involving Apple and Gizmodo, Nokia has contacted Russian police in an effort to regain a prototype smartphone from a blogger who leaked details of the device.

The Wall Street Journal published a report this week detailing Nokia's attempts to recover a prototype N8 smartphone from Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin. In April, the Moscow-based blogger published a preview on his blog Mobile Review, critiquing the handset a day before Nokia officially announced the device, due to be released in the third quarter of this year.

The Finland-based communications company turned to the police after its requests to Murtazin for the return of the device went unanswered.

According to the Journal, Murtazin claimed in an interview that he "was given the prototype by a source he declined to identify." He has claimed he attempted to contact Nokia in recent months, but no longer has the phone in his possession.

"I can never give back to Nokia anything I don't have," he reportedly said.

The blogger also denied that he had worked as a consultant for Samsung, a claim that Nokia made on its corporate blog. Murtazin said he was "contacted Wednesday by the Russian Interior Ministry's economic-crimes department" and had agreed with officials on Friday.

The incident closely mirrors a recent dispute between Apple and the technology blog Gizmodo over a lost iPhone 4 prototype. In April, Jason Chen, an editor for Gizmodo, published pictures and details confirming the design and specs of the then unreleased iPhone 4.

It was later revealed that the blog, owned by Gawker Media, had paid $5,000 for an exclusive hands-on look at the hardware. A week after the leak, California authorities seized several computers and servers from Chen's residence.

In both the Nokia and Apple incidents, the corporations have publicly highlighted their efforts to retrieve the prototypes and resorted to legal and official channels to continue their quest, while the bloggers assert that they made numerous attempts to return the devices to the companies. Although both investigations are ongoing, they have ignited controversy online and in the press, with many analysts viewing the resolution as having broad implications for journalists and bloggers alike.

Speaking on the Gizmodo incident at the All Things D conference in early June, Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said some people advised him to take no action in the incident. But Jobs said he feels as though Apple would not be the same company, and he would not be the same person, if he were to let such incidents occur without recourse. Jobs, at the conference, asserted that the prototype was stolen, and Gizmodo engaged in extortion in returning the device to Apple.

"I thought deeply about this, and I ended up concluding that the worst thing that could possibly happen as we get big and we get a little more influence in the world is if we change our core values and start letting it slide," Jobs said. "I can't do that. I'd rather quit."

... In both the Nokia and Apple incidents, the corporations have publicly highlighted their efforts to retrieve the prototypes and resorted to legal and official channels to continue their quest, while the bloggers assert that they made numerous attempts to return the devices to the companies. ...

Should you really be publishing this when it's been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it isn't actually true in the Gizmodo case?

Sure, that's what Gizmodo and the guy that stole the phone *said*, but it's already been proven to be a lie. Why confuse the issue and compound the rumors and bad feelings by repeating something that is known to be false?

Well, this news had me checking out what the heck N8 was, so good move Nokia. Too bad your demo movie was a bit... eh... what's the word? The opposite of smooth and snappy? Symbian! Yeah, that's the word.. I guess..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrXHXin9Iio

Should you really be publishing this when it's been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it isn't actually true in the Gizmodo case?

Sure, that's what Gizmodo and the guy that stole the phone *said*, but it's already been proven to be a lie. Why confuse the issue and compound the rumors and bad feelings by repeating something that is known to be false?

Exactly. With the iPhone prototype there was never any effort made to contact Apple. The first story was that he had tried to contact Apple, but after he was busted, his official statement from his attorney was that "one of his friends offered to call AppleCare". There was no mention if that friend ever made the call, meaning the chances it actually happened are slim to nil.

I agree with your comment, he was spot on with his comment, since when I looked at the Nokia 'new' smartphone, it was the same old same old. Nothing new in terms of design and would not cause me to drop my iPhone 3GS and buy new phone, when it is released in India.

First of alll, he is not a blogger, he is a journalist. Both he and Nokia had good relationships till recent time. Murtazin was disappointed with the quality and features Nokia's latest phone. He wrote quite aggressive review of N8 smartphone. The review was the last straw that broke the camel's back and the both side started arguing.

The fun part of the story is that Nokia doesn't know what equipment Murtazin has got. No one of N8 has been stolen

The Wall Street Journal published a report this week detailing Nokia's attempts to recover a prototype N8 smartphone from Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin. In April, the Moscow-based blogger published a preview on his blog Mobile Review, critiquing the handset a day before Nokia officially announced the device, due to be released in the third quarter of this year.

A month before Murtazin's review another site posted preview of N8. No legal action has been taken against the site yet.

First of alll, he is not a blogger, he is a journalist. Both he and Nokia had good relationships till recent time. Murtazin was disappointed with the quality and features Nokia's latest phone. He wrote quite aggressive review of N8 smartphone. The review was the last straw that broke the camel's back and the both side started arguing.

That's not true. Eldar has been reviewing stolen prototypes for years.

He used to spin all of his reviews with a massively pro-Nokia bias. Eventually, Nokia took notice that he was using stolen prototypes and tried to take action against him. Once that happened, Eldar swung wildly in the other way, into his current strong anti-Nokia reviewing bias.

Well, this news had me checking out what the heck N8 was, so good move Nokia. Too bad your demo movie was a bit... eh... what's the word? The opposite of smooth and snappy? Symbian! Yeah, that's the word.. I guess..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrXHXin9Iio

After watching the video, I don't think the phone looks too exciting, but I have a strange urge to go disco dancing.

I can but chose not to because I really don't necessarily care if he's biased one way or another. It's not even relevant after seeing what is alleged to be the "stolen prototype". Still thinking Nokia is trying to stir up interest for their crappy phone because if that's what it is, God it looks dreadful.

Really? And you can prove it?
Can you explain how the man who reviews stolen phones is invited to almost all mobile phone presentation in Russia?

Nope, can't prove it publicly. However, I know people who work and have worked for Nokia, Sony Ericsson and various other high profile manufacturers. They tell me that his early reviews are not authorised. He's not the only one doing it as well.

As I said, whilst his reviews remained positive and he didn't leak anything too early, he was tolerated. Just like Apple tolerates some leaks and not others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gin_tonic

Do you speak Russian? Can you read all the reviews at MR site?

Google translate is your friend. Many of his reviews are translated into English by humans too.